Foreign Travel Etiquette - Mexico

Most tourists in Mexico come from the U.S. and Canada, and many parts of Mexico are very used to tourism. However, out of respect for Mexico and its people, read up a bit on their culture and etiquette. Below is a list of Mexican etiquette to help you out on your trip!

1. Dress Attire

1. DON'T wear shorts if you wish to blend in. Aside from beaches and northern areas, shorts are seldom worn by Mexicans.
2. DO dress nicely for business situations. A suit and tie is fine, and women may also wear conservative dresses. In very hot regions, it's acceptable to wear lighter clothing, but don't wear overly casual clothing, such as t-shirts or flip-flops.
3. DO dress casually for social occasions.
4. DO take off sunglasses and hats if entering a church.

2. Table Manners

1. DO rest your wrists on the edge of the table while dining.
2. DON'T sit until told where to sit.
3. DON'T begin eating until the host does.
4. DO understand that only men give toasts in Mexican culture.
5. DO indicate that you are finished eating by putting your knife and fork across your plate with the prongs going downwards and the handles facing right.
6. DO leave a little bit of food on your plate when you are done.

3. Tipping

1. DO tip in the same fashion that you are used to in the U.S. or Canada.

4. Gift Giving and Accepting Gifts

1. DON'T give red flowers or marigolds. However, white flowers make a nice gift.
2. DO open a gift upon receipt.

5. Greetings

1. DO shake hands upon meeting someone.
2. DO follow the lead of who you are greeting. Hugs are often shared among friends, as well as a light kiss on the cheek for women.

6. Visitors Etiquette

1. DO be fashionably late! Thirty minutes late is appropriate. Arriving early or even on time is considered rude.
2. DO bring flowers or sweets for your host.

7. Business Meeting

1. DO make an appointment at least two weeks in advance and confirm a week before. Confirm the meeting one last time upon arriving in Mexico.
2. DON'T be late! However, your Mexican business associates may be late. Mexicans have a very relaxed view of time, but as a foreigner, you should make the effort to be on time.
3. DO be patient. Negotiations may proceed slowly.
4. DO have written material translated to Spanish.
5. DO hire an interpreter.
6. DO pick your negotiating team carefully. Have someone on your negotiating team who is an executive but do not include a lawyer.
7. DO expect haggling and prepare accordingly.

8. Socializing and Conversation

1. DO understand that "estúpido" is considered a bad word in Mexico, and it means much worse than "stupid."
2. DO say "salud!" when someone sneezes. To not do so is considered rude.

The above list might seem a little intimidating, but don't let it make you nervous! Go with the flow, but be conservative in your behavior and you'll blend in just fine. Happy travels to Mexico!

Foreign Travel Etiquette - France

1. Dress Attire
DO wear what you normally wear, but keep in mind that attire such as baseball caps, flip-flops, and white sneakers are not traditionally worn by French people.  It is fine to wear it, but you will probably be labeled as a tourist.
DO feel welcome to wear your country's ethnic attire if necessary, such as kilts, saris, etc.  People may stare at you in the more rural areas of France, but people will not be offended.

2. Table Manners
DON'T eat with your fingers!  You should always use your eating utensils, even at a fast food restaurant.
DON'T   eat on the street.  It can be seen as unsophisticated.
DON'T start eating immediately after being served.  Wait for your host to put their napkin on their lap, and then follow suit. After drinks have been served, join in on the toast.  You may start dining after the host invites you to begin eating.
DON'T take a bite from a whole piece of bread. Instead, tear your bread into a bite-sized piece and then eat it.
DO expect a glass of wine with dinner.  Wine glasses are filled only three-quarters of the way.
DON'T put your arms on your lap during dinner.  Put them above the table.

3. Tipping
DO round up when paying a bill at a bar or restaurant, unless the service was really bad.  Bars and restaurants are legally required to include a service fee in their bill, but customarily people will either round up or pay a small 5% tip.
DO tip taxi drivers and hairdressers 10%.
DO tip chambermaids about Euro 1.50 if you stay more than two or three nights at a hotel, or more if they do any pressing or laundry for you.  If the concierge was helpful, it is customary to leave a tip of Euro 8 - Euro 16, depending on the level of service and the hotel itself.
DO tip train and airport porters on a per bag basis.  They usually receive a fixed sum of Euro 0.90 - Euro 1.50 per bag. After a guided tour, museum guides should get Euro 1.50 - Euro 3. It is also a standard practice to tip bus drivers  Euro 1.50 after an trip.

4. Gift giving and Accepting Gifts
DO give a gift that shows that you are intellectual, such a gift of books or music.
DO bring a gift for the hostess if invited to a French person's house.  Good host gift ideas include flowers and wine.  Bear in mind that France is known for its wine, so do your research and bring a nice bottle of wine!  If you are invited to dinner, a dessert or cheese previously decided on also makes a nice gift.
DON'T give an even number of flowers as a gift.  Flowers should always be given in odd numbers, except for thirteen, as that is an unlucky number.
DO be very careful when picking out flowers as a gift.  There are a few taboos when it comes to giving a French person flowers.  White flowers are typically only used during weddings, white lilies and chrysanthemums are flowers for funerals, and red carnations stand for bad will.

5. Body Gestures
DO maintain eye contact because it shows you are interested in the conversation.

6. Greetings
DO shake hands upon meeting someone, as well as when you are leaving.  French handshakes are not as firm as American handshakes.
DO greet people with "bonjour" (good day) or "bonsoir" (good evening), and when leaving say "au revoir", which means good-bye.
DO address people with the titles "Monsieur"  (Mister) and "Madame" (Mrs.) when meeting someone for the first time, or in a business meeting.  Use "Mademoiselle" when greeting a young, unmarried woman or girl.  Older, unmarried women can still be referred to as "Madame."

7. Language Etiquette
DO address people with the titles "Monsieur"  (Mister) and "Madame" (Mrs.) when meeting someone for the first time, or in a business meeting.  Use "Mademoiselle" when greeting a young, unmarried woman or girl.  Older, unmarried women can still be referred to as "Madame."
DO apologize for your lack of knowledge if you do not speak French.

8. Visitors Etiquette
DO give your host a gift.  As a tourist from another country, a gift from your native country is appreciated.

9. Business Meeting
DO maintain eye contact when talking with clients.  This shows them that your full attention is with them.
DON'T expect the people you are meeting with to be on time.  Punctuality is treated very casually in France.
DON'T show any impatience or a confrontational attitude, as it can be seen as a sign of being unprofessional.
DO wear business outfits such as tailored suits, pants, and skirts.

10. Beach Etiquette
DON'T take your top off at a swimming pool or beaches that are part of a hotel unless you don't mind people staring.  It won't necessarily cause a scene, but some people may ogle.
DO put a shirt on once leaving the beach.
DON'T worry about small children running around the beach without clothes on.  People won't be offended.

Foreign Travel Etiquette

I am constantly asked questions about how to act when traveling to a foreign country, what the local customs are, how to interact with locals, and how not to look like the ugly American tourist.  Americans tend to be more casual with their interactions, which can be frowned upon in other countries.  Things like tipping, socializing, drinking, eating, driving and even shopping can be very different from country to country.  Over the next couple weeks I am going to post some very good tips from the Vayama.com and Travel Etiquette websites along with a few personal observations for the countries I have visited.  I hope you enjoy the postings.